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.                Rashid Khalidi  Rashid Ismail Khalidi (Arabic: رشيد خالدي; born November 18, 1948) is a Palestinian-American historian specializing in the Middle East. He is the Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University and a renowned scholar of Palestinian history and identity. Academic Career Khalidi retired from Columbia University on October 8, 2024 . At Columbia, he served as Chair of the History Department, Director of the Middle East Institute, and co-founder of the Center for Palestine Studies . He also served as editor (2002–2020) and later co-editor ( 2020–present) of the Journal of Palestine Studies. Previously, he taught at the Lebanese University , the American University of Beirut , Georgetown University , and the University of Chicago , where he directed the Middle East Center and the Center for International Studies . He holds a B.A. in History from Yale University (1970) and...

  Themes Across the Stories: Cultural Clashes:  Both stories explore the tension between modern and traditional values , particularly regarding gender roles and family expectations. Class Inequality:   From Egypt to the U.S., the stories highlight the growing divide between the wealthy elite and the struggling majority. Migration and Loss:  Whether through physical migration or cultural displacement , characters grapple with the challenges of belonging and identity. Key Points Summary:  Discussion on "Stories From the Center of the World: 25 Short Stories Out of the Middle East and Beyond" Overview of the Book 1. Content and Scope: The anthology, Stories From the Center of the World, contains 25 short stories by authors from the Middle East and beyond, including Greece . It explores diverse themes , cultures , and personal narratives from regions often marginalized or misunderstood. 2. Publisher’s Role: Published by City Lights Books , known for its ...

  Key Points on the ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant: Allegations and Warrants. 1. Crimes Alleged: War crime of starvation as a method of warfare. Crimes against humanity: murder, persecution, and inhumane acts. War crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians. 2. Key Findings: Starvation: Netanyahu and Gallant allegedly deprived Gaza's civilian population of essential resources (food, water, medical supplies, electricity) and impeded humanitarian aid. Murder and Persecution: These acts allegedly led to civilian deaths, including children, and targeted populations based on political or national grounds. Inhumane Acts: Medical supply restrictions forced surgeries without anesthetics, further exacerbating suffering. Civilian Targeting: Specific incidents in Gaza were cited as intentional attacks against civilians. Significance of the Decision 3. Historical Context: First ICC arrest warrants against “pro-Western” leaders in its 20-year history. Netanyahu a...

  Key Updates on Day 416 of the Crisis: Gaza 1. Humanitarian Crisis: Aid entering Gaza meets less than 6% of humanitarian needs, making food access nearly " impossible ." Heavy rainfall and floods have devastated displacement camps in Deir al-Balah and Mawasi , compounding hardships for displaced families. 2. Casualties and Attacks: Over 44,235 killed and 104,638 injured in Gaza as of October 21, 2024 , with women , children , and elderly comprising 59% of victims. Recent airstrikes killed 59 Palestinians, including 22 civilians (10 children) in Sheikh Radwan , and injured 165. 3. Targeting of Infrastructure: Residential buildings destroyed in Beit Lahia ; hospitals and shelters targeted . One-quarter of detained Palestinians from Gaza reportedly suffer from scabies due to poor detention conditions . West Bank 1. Escalation of Violence: Israeli forces have killed 796 Palestinians , including 146 children , since October 7, 2023. Two youth ( ages 13 and 20 ...

Overview :  1. Threat of UK Arms Export Ban: Rights groups Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network (Glan) are pursuing a court order to halt UK arms exports to Israel. This follows International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. 2. ICC Allegations: The ICC pre-trial panel found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant committed crimes including: Starving civilians in Gaza for eight months. Blocking medical supplies, forcing doctors to operate without anesthetics, even on children. 3. Focus on F-35 Components: The rights groups demand an immediate halt to UK exports of British-made components used in F-35 fighter jets sold to Israel. They argue these weapons contribute to alleged war crimes, including genocide. 4. Call for Two-Way Arms Embargo: Al-Haq's Zainah el-Haroun urged an immediate embargo to prevent British arms from facilitating further violations against P...

               Dina Kraft.  Title :  What the Anxious, Fear-Addled Wait for a Ceasefire with Hezbollah Feels Like in Israel Author : Dina Kraft Date: November 25, 2024 Context and Overview: 1. Conflict Escalation: On one of the most intense days since the war began , over 250 Hezbollah rockets targeted Israel, including central cities like Haifa , Tel Aviv , and the Galilee . Lebanese areas, including central Beirut , also faced severe Israeli airstrikes, killing nearly 100 civilians . 2. Civilian Impact: Israel : Civilians in cities like Haifa expressed fear and frustration over the lack of shelters , especially in areas close to Lebanon where response times are only 15 seconds. Personal Accounts: The author shares her experience sheltering during the strikes , recounting fear for her family and interactions with neighbors , including a newborn named Nuri , whose name symbolizes light and hope. Lebanon : Heavy losses among Leba...

  U.S. Debt Hits $36 Trillion 1. Debt Burden and Rising Costs The federal debt has reached approximately $36 trillion. About 1 in 5 government dollars goes toward repaying investors for borrowed money , impacting funding for infrastructure, education, and other programs. Debt service costs for 2025 are projected to exceed $1 trillion , surpassing defense spending. 2. Higher Interest Rates Increased interest rates (10-year Treasury yield now 4.4% , up from 0.6% in 2020 ) have driven up borrowing costs . Rising rates also impact housing , auto loans, and general household expenses, straining Americans' budgets. 3. Challenges for Trump’s Economic Plans President-elect Trump aims to renew 2017 tax cuts and introduce new tariffs , but rising debt limits budget flexibility. His proposals face criticism for potentially exacerbating deficits and favoring corporations and wealthy individuals . 4. Economic and Political Pressures Democrats argue that Trump’s tax policies depr...